Personal water misting apparatus with counter pressure delivery

ABSTRACT

A personal pressurized water misting apparatus with counter pressure delivery, comprising a rigid reservoir with a flexible bladder within, a filler with check valve, a flexible delivery hose with a misting nozzle and a spray nozzle, a pressure shelf within the reservoir, the pressure placed against a side of the bladder, at least one compression spring anchored within the reservoir and exerting pressure against the pressure shelf, such that pressurized filling of the bladder moves the pressure shelf, thereby compressing the spring, whereby counter pressure delivery is actuated with the on/off control.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Keeping cool in any hot environment can be challenging. Water has longbeen recognized as a preferred means for cooling, but carrying and usingwater to cool a person is a challenge. Misting water assists further incooling and requires less water. Portable personal misting devices,though, are a further challenge, especially without using electricalpowered delivery. Additionally, a proper mist requires significantpressure, something few portable powering devices can effectivelysupply. The current invention solves these problems.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The current invention relates to water misting devices and morespecifically to a portable personal water misting apparatus with counterpressure delivery.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The general purpose of the personal water misting device with counterpressure delivery, described subsequently in greater detail, is toprovide a personal water misting device with counter pressure deliverywhich has many novel features that result in an improved personal watermisting device with counter pressure delivery which is not anticipated,rendered obvious, suggested, or even implied by prior art, either aloneor in combination thereof.

The personal pressurized water misting apparatus with counter pressuredelivery is comprised of a rigid reservoir with a flexible bladderwithin. The bladder is designed to hold water. The bladder is acted uponby a movable pressure shelf. The pressure shelf moves within the lengthof the reservoir. One example of the invention offers a flexible,bendable bladder. This example allows edges of the bladder to fold asneeded in passing the edges of the pressure platform. Other examplesemploy a flexible, expandable bladder such that the bladder expands andcontracts within the reservoir and below the pressure shelf as neededwith the influx and outflow of water. One example of the invention issupplied as a backpack. Yet another example is supplied as a belt withthe reservoir positioned as chosen. A filler with a check valve isconveniently disposed on all examples of the invention. A filler capcovers the filler. A one way check valve resides just within the filler.The check valve is in sealed communication with the bladder. The filleris a threaded female fitting. The fitting is a typical water hose femalefitting. The female hose fitting is designed to accept a typical waterhose threaded male fitting.

A water hose is used to fill the bladder of the invention. Water hosestypically supply water pressure from 35-100 pounds per square inch(psi).

A pressure shelf is disposed within the reservoir. A compression springis anchored within the reservoir. Still other examples of the inventionutilize more than one spring. In the backpack example of the invention,each spring is anchored against the inside of the top of the reservoirin a spring rest. The opposite end of each spring is anchored in aspring rest against the pressure shelf. In the waist belt example of theinvention, the spring is anchored against in inner end of the reservoiropposite the filler end. The spring is between the end of the reservoirand the pressure shelf. The pressure shelf acts against the bladder topressure the water contained within the bladder. As water hose is usedto fill the bladder. Water pressure presses against the pressure shelf.The spring is thereby compressed. Spring compression ceases whenpressure within the bladder equals water pressure from the hose suppliedto the invention. The air within the reservoir but not within thebladder is compressed. Therefore the springs and the air pressure areimposing an expansion force against the pressure shelf. When internalpressure equals that of the water pressure applied, the check valve seesequilibrium and closes. Withdrawing the water hose from the inventiontherefore does not allow water flow out of the invention.

In an additional example of the invention, the pressure within thebladder is further enhanced by a handle operated mechanism. Themechanism is used after the bladder is filled with water.

The handle operated mechanism comprises a handle external to thereservoir. The handle is generally T-shaped. The handle extends into asleeve. The sleeve passes through the reservoir top. The passage of thesleeve through the reservoir is fitted with a seal. Air pressure isprevented from escaping from the reservoir by the seal. A plunger isfitted to the sleeve, within the reservoir. As the handle is pushedinward toward the reservoir, the plunger compresses the spring circlingabout the handle sleeve. The sleeve is guided by a rod that slideablyfits within the sleeve. The rod is anchored to the pressure shelf. Thesleeve exterior to the reservoir is fitted with a perpendicularlyaffixed t-lock. The top of the reservoir exterior is fitted with a locktab. The lock tab accepts the t-lock of the sleeve. The T-handle ispushed into the reservoir until the t-lock is aligned with theabbreviated lock tab. The t-lock is then twisted. The sleeve and handleare thereby held in a position which compresses the spring within thereservoir, thereby retaining the spring pressure resulting fromcompressing the plunger against the spring force. This additional springpressure provides for the plunger to exert more pressure against thepressure shelf, thereby further pressuring the water held within thereservoir bladder to a psi greater than what only the water pressurefilling can provide.

The filling water pressure exerts pressure against the pressure shelf,such that pressurized filling of the bladder moves the pressure shelf,thereby compressing springs within the bladder, whereby counter pressuredelivery is actuated with the on/off control. The on/off control isfitted within the flex tube. The flex tube exits the bladder and passesoutside of the reservoir.

The flex tube provides for positioning the delivery of water from thebladder as desired. One example of the invention provides a mistingnozzle at the end of the flex tube. The misting nozzle is, in oneexample, fitted to the top of a hat. Turning on the on/off controlallows for water pressure to force water into the misting nozzle,thereby spraying water mist above and outward from the top of the hat.The on/off control offers graduated opening such that mist volume iscontrolled. Still another example of the invention offer a stream nozzlewith a trigger. The water stream provided is controlled by the trigger,much as a typical water gun. Various other nozzles and water deliveriesare provided.

The invention therefore offers counter pressure delivery of water inmist or stream form. The reservoir's internal compression of air andsprings by the pressurized introduction of water stores the potentialenergy. The examples of the invention featuring added spring pressurevia the plunger and handle further store additional energy. The on/offcontrol provides for releasing that stored energy by forcing water outthrough the delivery system. No pumping or electric pumps are required.

Thus has been broadly outlined the more important features of thepersonal water misting device with counter pressure delivery so that thedetailed description thereof that follows may be better understood andin order that the present contribution to the art may be betterappreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the personal water mistingdevice with counter pressure delivery will be readily apparent to thoseof ordinary skill in the art upon reading the following detaileddescription of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative,examples of the personal water misting device with counter pressuredelivery when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. Inthis respect, before explaining the current examples of the personalwater misting device with counter pressure delivery in detail, it is tobe understood that the invention is not limited in its application tothe details of construction and arrangements of the components set forthin the following description or illustration. The invention is capableof other examples and of being practiced and carried out in variousways. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminologyemployed herein are for purposes of description and should not beregarded as limiting.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception upon whichthis disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for thedesign of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out theseveral purposes of the personal water misting device with counterpressure delivery. It is therefore important that the claims be regardedas including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not departfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Objects of the personal water misting device with counter pressuredelivery, along with various novel features that characterize theinvention are particularly pointed out in the claims forming a part ofthis disclosure.

For better understanding of the personal water misting device withcounter pressure delivery, its operating advantages and specific objectsattained by its uses, refer to the accompanying drawings anddescription.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a back elevation cross sectional view of the reservoir withrelated components, illustrating the flexible bladder as acted upon byspring pressure, taken along the line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is the belted worn reservoir of the invention, as connected to ahat with misting nozzle.

FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of the reservoir of FIG. 3 taken alongthe line 4-4.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the reservoir of the invention, withT-handle fully pressed into the reservoir and held in the lockedposition by t-lock 33 and lock tabs 35.

FIG. 6 is a cross sectional elevation of the reservoir of FIG. 5 takenalong the line 6-6, the springs in mid travel.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular FIGS. 1 through 6thereof, example of the personal water misting device with counterpressure delivery employing the principles and concepts of the presentinvention and generally designated by the reference number 10 will bedescribed.

Referring to FIG. 1, the invention 10 is comprised of a reservoir 12.The reservoir 12 is further comprised of vertical panels: front (notshown), an opposite spaced apart back 47, and two opposing spaced apartsides 46. The back 47 and the sides 46 are connected by vertical roundedcorners 45. The front is meant to be worn against a user (not shown) ina backpack (not shown). The threadably removable filler cap 24 isdisposed on the lower portion of one side 46. The horizontal top 48 andbottom 43 affix to the outer edges of the front, back 47, sides 46 androunded corners 45 to seal the reservoir. A flex tube 14 transfers waterfrom the reservoir 12 to the nozzle 16. The nozzle 16 is fitted atop thehat 18. Water mist 50 emanates from the nozzle 16 to surround the hat 18and fall beyond the hat 18.

Referring to FIG. 2, the reservoir is internally comprised of a flexiblebladder 20. The bladder 20 fits internally against sides 46, bottom 43and back 47 (FIG. 1), and front (not shown). The bladder 20 alsosubstantially fits against the pressure shelf 34.

Edges of the bladder 20 are provided for passing relief beyond the edgesof pressure shelf 34 as the pressure shelf 34 moves downward against thewater 52. The springs 30 are therefore in a partially compressed state.The springs 30 reside vertically and are captured at both top and bottomby springs rests 31. The upper spring rests 31 are supportedly fixedagainst the top inside 49 of the reservoir 12. The lower spring rests 31are supportedly affixed to the top of the pressure shelf 34. Thecompression springs 30 are thereby captured and forced to work in thevertical plane in compression. The flex tube 14 is fitted with on/offcontrol 32. On/off control 32 provides for metered release of water 52from bladder 20.

Referring to FIG. 3, the belt 38 example of the invention 10 is claspedabout a user by the typical buckle 40. The reservoir 12 is disposedhorizontally along a portion of the belt 38. The reservoir 12 is fittedwith easily accessed threaded filler cap 24. Filler cap 24 covers filler21. the flex tube 14 extends to meet the hat 18. The mist nozzle 16 isfitted atop hat 18. Mist nozzle 16 disperses water mist 50 about andbeyond hat 18.

Referring to FIG. 4, the reservoir 12 of FIG. 3 is partially filled withwater 52. The spring 30 is half compressed. Water hose 56 is connectedto the female connection (not shown) of the filler 21. Water flow 58 isflowing toward and within the bladder 20 of the reservoir 12. Water 52pressure is acting against the spring pressure of spring 30. Spring 30is pushing against the plunger 26. Water 52 pressure is pushing againstthe bladder 20. Bladder 20 thereby pushes against the plunger 26. Water52 pressure causes the spring 30 to compress until pressure is equalizedbetween incoming water flow 58 and spring 30 pressure.

The plunger 26 is affixed to linear sleeve 25. The sleeve 25 slideablysurrounds the rod 28. The rod 28 is firmly affixed to the rod stop 29within the end of the reservoir 12 opposite the filler 21. The spring 30is fully compressed when the sleeve 25 reaches the rod stop 29.

Referring to FIG. 5, the T-handle of the backpack example of theinvention 10 is in the fully compressed locked position. The sleeve 25is fitted with perpendicular t-lock 33. The T-handle 23 has been twistedsuch that the t-lock 33 is caught under the lock tabs 35. The lock tabs35 are affixed to the top 48 of the reservoir 12. The flex tube 14emanates from the side 46 of the reservoir 12 opposite the filler 21 andfiller cap 24. The flex tube 14 is fitted with a tube clip 54 forconveniently clipping to a user.

Referring to FIG. 6, the sleeve 25 of the T-handle 23 partiallysurrounds rod 28, within the reservoir. The t-lock 33 is above anddisengaged from the lock tabs 35. Lock tabs 35 are affixed to the top 48of the reservoir 12. the sleeve 25 passes into the reservoir 12 viasleeve seal 27. Sleeve seal 27 prevents air pressure leak from theinside of reservoir 12. Plunger 27 is affixed to the bottom of thesleeve 25. Plunger 27 is forced against the top inside 49 of thereservoir 12. The springs 30 are extended. The on/off control 32 of flextube 14 is off.

In use, the filler cap 24 is removed from the filler 21. A male fittingof a water hose 56 is hooked to the female fitting (not shown) of thefiller 21. The on/off control 32 is turned off. The hose 56 is turnedon. Water flow 58 flows into the bladder 20 of the invention 10.

The pressure shelf 34 pushes against springs 30, thereby compressing thesprings 30 until the water 52 pressure equals the air pressure and thespring 30 pressure within the reservoir. Water 52 ceases to flow intothe bladder 20. The hose 56 is removed. The check valve (not shown)within the filler 21 prevents backflow of the water 52 from within thebladder 20. The water 52 within the reservoir 12 is pressurizedequivalent to the water 52 that was dispensed to the reservoir from awater 52 faucet. With the more complete example of the invention 10, theT-handle 23 with sleeve 25 and plunger 26 is employed to furtherincrease internal water 52 pressure within the bladder 20. The T-handle23 is used after the bladder 20 is filled with water 52. The T-handle 23is then twisted a partial turn and pushed within the reservoir 12 untilthe t-lock 33 stops against the top 48 of the reservoir 12. The plunger26 is thereby pushed against the spring 30. The spring 30 is compressed.The T-handle 23 is twisted back such that the t-lock engages the locktabs 35. The T-handle 23 thereby locks into position and holds thetension against the spring 30. This tension increases the pressureapplied to the pressure shelf 24, thereby increasing outflow pressure ofwater 52 through the flex tube 14.

In one example of use, the hat 18 is placed atop a user's head. Theon/off control 32 is turned on. The flow of the water 52 through thecontrol 32 is adjustably metered by the control 32 position. The water52 flows to and through the misting nozzle 16. Water mist 50 is therebydispersed above a user's head.

In an additional example of the invention 10, the stream nozzle (notshown) is used. The stream nozzle is fitted with a trigger switch (notshown) for triggering the stream spray of water 52 from the nozzle. Ineither example of the invention 10, the tube clip 54 is clipped to auser to more conveniently position and hold the flex tube 54.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized thatthe optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the personalwater misting device with counter pressure delivery, to includevariations in size, materials, shape, form, function and the manner ofoperation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious toone skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to thoseillustrated in the drawings and described in the specification areintended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Directional terms such as “front”, “back”, “in”, “out”, “downward”,“upper”, “lower”, and the like may have been used in the description.These terms are applicable to the examples shown and described inconjunction with the drawings. These terms are merely used for thepurpose of description in connection with the drawings and do notnecessarily apply to the position in which the present invention may beused.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of theprinciples of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications andchanges will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is notdesired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operationshown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications andequivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of theinvention.

1. A personal pressurized water misting apparatus with counter pressuredelivery, comprising: a rigid reservoir; a flexible bladder within thereservoir; a filling means for filling the bladder with water; a checkvalve within the filling means; a delivery means for delivering waterfrom the bladder; an on/off control of the delivery means; a pressureshelf within the reservoir, the pressure placed against a side of thebladder; at least one compression spring, the spring anchored within thereservoir, the spring exerting pressure against the pressure shelf, suchthat pressurized filling of the bladder moves the pressure shelf,thereby compressing the spring, whereby counter pressure delivery isactuated with the on/off control.
 2. The invention in claim 1 whereinthe filling means is a female water hose connector for receiving atypical male water hose end.
 3. The invention in claim 2 wherein thereservoir is further comprised of attachment means for attaching thereservoir to the person.
 4. The invention in claim 3 wherein thedelivery means further comprises a misting nozzle, the misting nozzledelivering a mist of water.
 5. The invention in claim 4 furthercomprising a hat; the delivery means further comprising a flexible hosebetween the hat and the misting nozzle; the misting nozzle mounted atopthe hat.
 6. The invention in claim 4 wherein the delivery meanscomprises a stream nozzle at an end of the delivery means, the streamnozzle delivering a stream of water.
 7. The invention in claim 6 whereinthe on/off switching means is a hand held trigger.
 8. A personalpressurized water misting apparatus with counter pressure delivery,comprising: a rigid reservoir; a flexible bladder within the reservoir;a filling means for filling the bladder with water; a check valve withinthe filling means; a delivery means for delivering water from thebladder; an on/off control of the delivery means; a pressure shelfwithin the reservoir, the pressure placed against a side of the bladder;at least one compression spring, the spring anchored within thereservoir, the spring exerting pressure against the pressure shelf; suchthat pressurized filling of the bladder moves the pressure shelf,thereby compressing the spring, whereby counter pressure delivery isactuated with the on/off control; a handle exiting the reservoir, thehandle attached to a sleeve, the sleeve within the reservoir, the sleeveending in a compression disc; a locking means for the handle; a rodsliding within the sleeve of the handle, the rod attached to thepressure shelf, the rod slideably fitted within the spring, such thatpushing the handle into the reservoir compresses the spring, therebyexerting pressure against the pressure shelf.
 9. The invention in claim8 wherein the filling means is a female water hose connector forreceiving a typical male water hose end.
 10. The invention in claim 9wherein the reservoir is further comprised of attachment means forattaching the reservoir to the person.
 11. The invention in claim 10wherein the delivery means further comprises a misting nozzle, themisting nozzle delivering a mist of water.
 12. The invention in claim 11further comprising a hat; the delivery means further comprising aflexible hose between the hat and the misting nozzle; the misting nozzlemounted atop the hat.
 13. The invention in claim 10 wherein the deliverymeans further comprises a misting nozzle, the misting nozzle deliveringa mist of water.
 14. The invention in claim 13 further comprising a hat;the delivery means further comprising a flexible hose between the hatand the misting nozzle; the misting nozzle mounted atop the hat.
 15. Theinvention in claim 10 wherein the delivery means comprises a streamnozzle at an end of the delivery means, the stream nozzle delivering astream of water.
 16. The invention in claim 11 wherein the on/offswitching means is a hand held trigger.